Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

That Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon felt compelled to publicly support Brady Hoke in an expansive post on the athletic department website reflects the nervousness in Ann Arbor. A vote of confidence won’t dissuade the legitimate concerns that the overall state of Michigan football mirrors that of its offense — stagnate.

The Wolverines are nervous about what might happen this afternoon.

Does Urban Meyer not only win his 24th straight game at Ohio State, but does he deliberately run up the score in a desperate attempt at impressing BCS voters?

Will there be far more than a tolerable number of scarlet-clad Buckeye fans in attendance at Michigan Stadium, those who scooped up the returned tickets of U-M fans who simply aren’t interested any longer in a season that ranks as one of the great disappointments in this storied program’s recent memory?

Considering how badly and regularly they have been out-coached this season, it’s a wonder that the Wolverines won seven games.

This is unfamiliar terrain for the Wolverines. They must now adapt to the reality that Ohio State is currently more fearful of Michigan State than U-M.

The Game, as it’s called, is only The Appetizer this year.

The big game is next week in Indianapolis with the Big Ten privately hoping that it can showcase an Ohio State-Michigan State battle between two top-10 ranked teams that could potentially boost the unbeaten Buckeyes’ BCS championship game chances with a victory.

It’s commendable that Michigan’s creating the impression of confidence and an optimistic future, but it can’t hide the appearance of jitters. They’re nervous because they honestly don’t know what direction they’re headed.

The Great Boodini

The Mystic One had consecutive winning weeks against the point spread (3-2 last week, 32-28 overall for the season). That’s about as unfamiliar as a Lions victory on Thanksgiving. Now that he’s on a “hot streak,” it figures that’s the season’s coming to an end for the all-seeing, all-knowing famed seer, sage, soothsayer and former media consultant for Green Bay offensive lineman Josh Sitton ... The Great Boodini.

Minnesota (plus-16) at Michigan State: The Big Ten promises the Spartans that it will have their backs in lobbying the BCS, just as the conference had their backs when they assigned Big Ten referees to MSU’s game at Notre Dame earlier this season. The Spartans immediately make travel plans for Orlando and the Lloyd Carr Invitational. Pick — Michigan State.

Ohio State (minus-16½) at Michigan: Wolverines offensive coordinator Al Borges promises some trickery in his play-calling to catch the Buckeyes off-guard. When asked for specifics, Borges said only that he nicknamed the trick plays “Forward Progress.” Pick — Ohio State.

Northwestern (minus-3½) at Illinois: After a Los Angeles court this week ordered the closing of a Sriracha hot sauce production plant because nearby residents complained of an undesirable odor, an Illinois court orders this game between the two worst teams in the Big Ten shut down for similar violations. Pick — Does anyone really care? OK, Illinois.